All I Want For Christmas, Week 3: Joy

Title: Joy   (Luke 2:9-11)(NLT) Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.     (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4) (NLT)  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. …a time to laugh.   (Psalm 2:4)(NIV) “The One enthroned in heaven laughs.”   (Proverbs 4:23)(NLT) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.   (2 Timothy 3:1-3) (NLT) You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.     1.    Ungrateful.   Ungrateful: Being so focused on what we want that we forget to see what we have.     2.    Unloving.   Unloving: No longer feel love or affection toward others.      3.    Unforgiving.   Unforgiving: Choosing not to forgive or show mercy toward others.     4.    Unholy.   Unholy: Allow little compromising sins in your life.   (Ephesians 6:12) (NCV) Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.     (John 10:10) (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.   Stop taking life so seriously and start taking God more seriously.   (Nehemiah 8:10) (NLT) …the joy of the Lord is your strength.”   (Proverbs 17:22) (NLT) “A cheerful heart is good medicine…”   Choose Joy:                                                  1. Make the choice every day.   You cannot determine what happens to you, but you can determine what happens in you.   (Hebrews 12:1-2) (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.   (Hebrews 12:1-2) (NIV) For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   (Psalm 19:14) (NIV) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   2. Develop a high appreciation for life.   (1 Thessalonians 5:18) (NLT) “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.   (Romans 8:28) (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.   3. Find something positive in everything.   (Philippians 4:8)(NIV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”   4. Turn everything over to God.   (Philippians 4:6-7) (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   (Proverbs 4:23)(NLT) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.